27 firms authorized to serve Lao, Thai tourists

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has announced a list of 27 travel operators in the country’s central region who are authorized to offer services to visitors from Thailand and Laos.
They are based mostly in Danang, Quang Tri, Nghe An, and Thua Thien Hue, and affiliated to a club set up late last year.
The VNAT has said only club members can arrange tours for Lao and Thai tourists to the country at the border gates of Nam Can, Cau Treo, Cha Lo, and Lao Bao.
Any other travel firm wanting to serve these tourists can do so only in cooperation with club members.
The list has been sent to authorities in the seven central provinces.
The VNAT set up the club to improve services, preventing price undercutting, and unfair competition.
The club has announced minimum prices ranging from US$105 to $170 per person for three popular overland tours for Thai and Lao travelers.
Last year 200,000 tourists came by road from these countries.